Since the 18th century, six generations of the Cushen family have devoted themselves to crafting superior woollen textiles in the picturesque town of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. Today, Philip Cushen and his daughter Miriam operate what is one of the last remaining woollen mills that collects local fleece and then dyes, cards, spins and weaves to produce Irish wool blankets, rugs, throws, scarves, knitting yarns and fine tweed.

In recent years, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny has provided support to Cushendale in the form of a Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) Grant. This support mechanism is designed to assist clients explore and develop export market opportunities by part-funding associated costs linked to initiatives such as exhibiting at International Trade Fairs and creating marketing materials and websites that specifically target overseas markets.

Cushendale attained TAME grant support towards funding costs linked to logistics, marketing, packaging and point of sale materials required to attend Showcase - Ireland's Creative Expo, at the RDS, Dublin in January 2020. Again in 2021, TAME Grant support was received, which on this occasion given Covid-19 restrictions in place, was allocated towards costs associated with exhibiting via Showcase Ireland’s Virtual Showrooms. This included developing strong export related marketing materials and delivering an enhanced virtual presence with a view to maintaining and developing relationships with international trade customers.

Miriam believes that attaining TAME Grant support not only helped with securing new wholesale customers in the UK, Canada, Sweden and Russia but has also assisted with building awareness of Cushendale’s brand story and provenance in export markets, and in doing so encourages tourists to visit the mill in Graiguenamanagh.

www.cushendale.ie | 059 972 4118 | info@cushendale.ie